No harm. Good. That was good. Prosper Cresswell was Herbert's oldest and dearest friend, and while this was a shock to say the absolute least possible, he would hate for this to colour the live man's opinion of him.

It was a long, awkward moment before Herbert realized that this position could go both ways.

"A little awkwardness among friends," he offered with an uncomfortable chuckle. Then, more earnestly, "But no harm done at all."

He could not quite meet his friend's eyes as he said it, but the words were meant with the utmost sincerity.